News
Leadership changes at Virgin Wines, Nestlé and UK meat trade association
A trio of appointments
UK online drinks retailer, Virgin Wines, is bolstering its leadership team with three new appointments.
Danny Cooper, Gareth Beaty and Andy Potts join the team as chief information officer (CIO), head of customer growth, and trading director of Warehouse Wines, respectively.
Copper comes with almost three decades of experience in IT roles, initially holding infrastructure and architecture positions within JP Morgan and the BBC.
He also served as director of enterprise technology at YOOX Net-A-Porter Group, where he worked for 14 years, scaling its IT systems through a period of significant growth. And, more recently, he held senior management roles with Made Up Ltd and Gousto.
In his role at Virgin Wines, Copper will be responsible for ensuring the company’s digital solutions deliver excellent user experience, while remaining structurally and commercially robust as it continues to evolve its digital offering.
Beaty, who takes on the tole of head of customer growth, brings more than 20 years of experience in a number of commercial roles. His career spans Nectar, AccorHotels, News International, the RAC, and ODEON.
Having worked within the Group since 2009, Potts has held a number of roles across sales, customer acquisition and business development before being appointed general manager of the newly formed Gifts Business in 2014.
In this role, he established the Virgin Wine’s bespoke e-commerce gifting service, including the launch of the first wine advent calendar.
In 2019, Potts was appointed business development director where he oversaw the creation and delivery of the company’s customer acquisition strategy and brand partnerships.
In his new role as trading director of Warehouse Wines, he will be responsible for driving growth at Warehouse Wines – a newly launched value proposition, which has produced encouraging performances this financial year.
Jay Wright, CEO at Virgin Wines, said the roles form part of the company’s next phase of growth: “I am delighted to bolster our executive team with three high calibre appointments. Each has significant sector experience and will play a critical role in vitally important areas as we continue to drive sustainable growth and deliver a customer experience of the highest quality.
“We remain committed to investing strongly in our teams and people, in order to drive our future performance and capitalise on the market opportunities ahead.”
Nestlé's latest recruit
Nestlé has appointed David Hancock as head of investor relations, who joins from his role as VP for finance, strategy & IR at Deliveroo.
His experience at the delivery company stretches across roles as interim chief financial officer and VP investor relations. Prior to this, he held senior finance positions at the Adecco Group, including SVP, head of investor relations based in Zurich.
At the start of his career, Hancock spent 11 years at Morgan Stanley, beginning in sales and trading before becoming an equity research analyst. He holds qualifications in accounting, financial analysis and ESG investing, and has a master's degree in philosophy from Cambridge University.
He succeeds Luca Borlin as he steps into a new role at the manufacturer, focused on retail shareholders and supporting the Nestlé share registry.
"I would like to thank Luca warmly for his contributions and commitment to the Investor Relations team over many years, and wish him every success in his new role," said Anna Manz, chief financial officer of Nestlé. "I am delighted to welcome David to Nestlé. With his deep knowledge of capital markets and financial communications combined with broad strategic finance experience, David is ideally placed to lead our investor relations team in Nestlé's next phase of value creation."
Changing AIMS
Following 25 years of leadership, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers’ (AIMS) founder, Norman Bagley, is taking a step back.
Since AIMS’ inception in 2001, the association as it has grown to become a leading trade body representing the red and white meat sector and food service across the British Isles.
Under Bagley’s guidance, AIMS has achieved several significant milestones, ensuring that the voices of SMEs in the industry are heard alongside those of large processing businesses and that standards across the industry are upheld.
Bagley has said his departure from an active role does not mean a complete absence, however. He will continue to be a ready source of contacts, knowledge, guidance and support for the new leadership.
With Bagley’s shift in focus, AIMS is announcing the creation of a new role, executive director, and is currently applications.
Commenting, Bagley said: “I am turning 75 this month, and it's time to recognise that no one can sustain a relentless pace indefinitely. The new individual will require a significant amount of time to visit and become acquainted with nearly 250 plant members, as this organisation is fundamentally built on its people.
“During this period, I will be available to assist with this transition and address any member-related issues that may arise, offering my help wherever possible. Both AIMS and I are committed to providing this support for as long as necessary, during which time I will be as accessible to individual members as always.”
In other news, worrying levels of fibreglass has been found in oysters and mussels for the first time.
